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Rapid Spread
of Supermarkets Changing the Pacific Rim Food System
In May 2005, ERS, the Farm Foundation, and the Pacific Economic
Cooperation Council convened a conference in Kunming, China.
Conference participants from the public sector, food companies,
and academic institutions in 16 Asia-Pacific countries assessed
the changing structure of the retail food sector and its impact
on the region’s agriculture and trade. While growth
in the retail share of supermarkets in developed countries
spanned many years, the pace has accelerated in middle-income
countries like China, Mexico, and Indonesia. In these rapidly
urbanizing markets, consumers are benefiting from lower prices
from economies of scale in procurement and distribution and
the private enforcement of higher food safety standards. On
the other hand, small “mom and pop” shops and
wet markets are facing adjustment pressure as are small farmers.
Policymakers are looking for ways to enable small producers
to compete in a supermarket world by facilitating farm and
farmland consolidation and the shift of resources into more
remunerative niche activities. William
Coyle
Policy and Competition
in a Changing Global Food Industry
In April 2005, ERS, jointly with the Farm Foundation, Pennsylvania
State University, and the International Food and Agribusiness
Management Association, hosted a conference on “Policy
and Competitiveness in a Changing Global Food Industry.”
This conference brought together researchers, business people,
and policymakers to engage in a structured open discussion
on major issues regarding policy and business competitiveness
in a rapidly changing global food economy. Discussions focused
on factors impacting the competitiveness of food firms, the
role of evolving food supply chains on food trade flows, and
the role of policy in a global industry dominated by multinational
players operating across national boundaries. Conference papers
are available at: http://www.farmfoundation.org/globalization.htm.
Anita Regmi
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